Why Scotland’s Smartest Businesses Are Doubling Down on CSR – And Why Yours Should Too

In a recent article in the Herald, Mark Lewis, Director at Livingston James, Managing Director at Rutherford Cross and Chair of the Marie Curie Glasgow Brain Game, shares why the smartest businesses in Scotland are continuing to fully commit to CSR.

Here’s why you should too, writes Mark Lewis is Managing Director at Rutherford Cross, Director at Livingston James, and chairman of the Marie Curie Glasgow Brain Game.

Despite tough economic conditions and tighter budgets, many leading Scottish businesses are proving that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is more essential than ever. As Mark expains, CSR isn’t just a “nice to have” – it’s becoming a strategic advantage.

At events like the Marie Curie Glasgow Brain Game, where over £257,000 was raised in a single night, the business community continues to demonstrate its commitment to impact beyond profit. Yet across the UK, charitable giving is falling, even as profits rise – a contradiction that could cost companies dearly.

Mark argues that post-pandemic shifts in employee and client expectations have made CSR a core part of how organisations are judged. Today’s candidates, especially younger talent, want to work for employers with clear values, meaningful community engagement, and a sense of purpose. Clients, too, increasingly assess partners on sustainability, charity involvement, and social impact.

Cutting CSR may look like an easy saving, but the long-term consequences are steep: weaker culture, reduced loyalty, harder recruitment, and a brand that feels increasingly transactional.

Through the CSR model at Rutherford Cross and Livingston James (where employees choose charities and profit is shared across those causes), Mark shows how values-driven strategies can strengthen engagement, identity, and loyalty across a team.

His message is clear: in uncertain times, CSR isn’t a luxury – it’s one of the few things businesses can control, and those who stay committed will emerge stronger.

You can read the full article from the Herald here.

 

CSR is shaping the modern talent landscape, and the right leadership makes all the difference. If you are looking to attract leaders who align with your organisation’s purpose, get in touch with Livingston James to find executives who bring both strategic capability and values‑driven ambition to your organisation: https://livingstonjames.com/contact/.

 

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